Suspect in Lake Charles standoff identified

Joshua Plumber (Source: LCPD)

LAKE CHARLES, LA (KPLC) -

The suspect in a Thursday home invasion and hostage situation has been identified by Lake Charles police.

Joshua Jermaine Plumber, 25, of Lake Charles has been charged with home invasion, aggravated battery, illegal use of dangerous instrumentalities, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and six counts of false imprisonment.

Officers say the incident began around 9 p.m. Thursday when Plumber fired shots in a street and then forced his way into a Denise Street home.

Authorities say Plumber took six people hostage, including three adults and three children.

Police and a SWAT Team surrounded the home and demanded he let them go. Everyone came out around 2 a.m. unharmed and the suspect surrendered.

Deputy Chief Mark Kraus said he hopes the suspect faces justice. Police say the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

"Who knows what he was thinking? Honestly, who cares what he was thinking. Maybe we can put him in prison for the rest of his life," Kraus said.

This is the second hostage situation the department has dealt with this week. On Tuesday, Kendal Runnels barricaded himself inside a home with two young children. Police say no one was hurt in that incident.

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